Gotta Get Away: Maintain your COVID bubble with a road trip
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – September 14, 2020
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MYSTERY PHOTO: Did it move?
Charleston Currents – August 3, 2020
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See, stay at the top 15 resorts in the South
WSBTV – July 31, 2020
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The Willcox to close for the rest of the month, will continue curbside pickup and delivery
Aiken Standard – March 19, 2020
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Discover the Beauty of Western South Carolina’s Horse Country…
Southern Lady Magazine
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Visit Aiken, South Carolina, the South’s best small town
City of Aiken Tourism
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Quartet to celebrate decade of jazz at The Willcox
Aiken Standard – December 2019
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Top Dog-Friendly Resorts and Luxury Pet-Friendly Hotels in the South
Raising your Pets Naturally – August 2019
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Southern Charm: South Carolina’s Thoroughbred Country Is For Horse Tales And Back Roads Trails
Forbes – June 2019
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Born of Love Along the Trails & The Willcox – A Treasured Piece of History
Upstate Lake Living – Summer 2019
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Upstate Lake Living
Edwards Publications – Summer 2019
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Best of Brittany Kisner
Aiken Standard – April 2019
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Thanks for making GEM a success
Aiken Standard – March 2019
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Aiken places fourth in Southern Living’s best small town list
Aiken Standard – March 2019
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Joye of Jazz at The Willcox features festivities, food and fine music
Aiken Standard – March 2019
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Katherine Grantham gives us an intimate look at the beautiful and historic Willcox in Aiken
WJFB – February 2019
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Out and About: The Willcox is a legendary hotel built on tradition in Aiken
The Gainesville News – February 2019
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The New Greystone: Sister of The Willcox
Bella Magazine – February 2019
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8 Small Towns in the Carolinas You Must Visit
55 Places – December 2018
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Ringing in The New Year in Aiken
WRDW – December 2018
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This South Carolina Town Has Every Christmas Tradition a Southerner Could Want—Including an Ugly Sweater Crawl
Southern Living – December 2018
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Aiken Named As One of the Top 5 South Carolina Towns to Visit in the Season
The Island Packet – December 2018
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Head to Thoroughbred Country for history and culture
Banks News Today – November 2018
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Ellises reopen The Greystone Inn in Western North Carolina
Aiken Standard – May 2018
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New Chef’s Cottage addition to The Willcox is open for business in Aiken
Aiken Standard – April 2018
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Spotlight: The Willcox Hotel, Make yourself at home at this Aiken, South Carolina, landmark
Atlanta Magazine – April 2018
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Aiken Is Named The Best Small Town In The South, #2 Food Town In The South and The Willcox Is Named The #2 Best Hotel In The South
Southern Living – April 2018
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Where to Stay: Spotlight on the Willcox Hotel
Atlanta Magazine – April 3, 2018
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They Greystone Inn Joins The Willcox Family
Bella Magazine – November 2017
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Local Businesses Impacted by the Eclipse
WRDW – August 2017
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Hotels filling up in Aiken for solar eclipse
Aiken Standard – August 2017
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Cartledge & Hazelwood Wedding at The Wilcox
The Carolinas Magazine – July 2017
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Retracing the High Style of the Sporting Life to Aiken, South Carolina
Points North Atlanta – May 2017
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Celebrity Waiter Night raises Money for Children’s
Aiken Standard – May 2017
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Directions to Navigate Downtown Aiken Intersections
Aiken Standard – April 2017
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10 Underrated East Coast Getaways
Jetsetter – April 2017
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Nineteen girls complete GEM program with dinner at The Willcox
Aiken Standard – March 2017
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Flag Folding Ceremony at The Willcox honors those who served
Aiken Standard – February 2017
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The Willcox is pampering guest with Liddell luxury linens
Hospitality Net
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Bella Magazine – Green Christmas Challenge
Spa Travel Gal – Pet Friendly Travel
Local performers present Holidays in Old Hollywood
Aiken Standard – December 2016
Yakima Harold- Aiken, South Carolina: History and Charm Await “Y’all”
Travelocity: What to look for in pet-friendly travel, featuring The Willcox
Goodwill to establish Aiken campus of Helms college
Aiken Standard – October 2016
The Willcox presented Dinner at Dusk at the Whitney Polo Field, which was fundraiser for Goodwill’s Helms College.
The Willcox in Aiken ranked #7 best hotel in the world Fox 54 WFXG
The Willcox hotel in Aiken is gaining extra attention. It was recently voted the #1 best hotel in the South and #7 in the world by Travel and Leisure magazine.
Travel + Leisure magazine names Willcox No. 7 ‘Best Hotel in the World,’ No. 1 ‘Best Hotel in the South’
Aiken Standard — July 2016
Travel+Leisure magazine has named Aiken’s The Willcox the No. 7 best hotel in the world.The magazine gave the “equestrian escape” hotel a score of 97.25.Hotels were graded based on rooms/facilities, location, service, food and value, according to the magazine’s website.
Who’s The Best In Travel? Travel + Leisure’s Annual List Says…
Travel Market — July 2016
Unveiling the 2016 best of travel awards, Travel + Leisure Magazine’s readers voted on just about everything in travel, from destinations, to hotels and cruise lines, to best airlines, with popular favorites making return visits to the top of the rankings, and a few surprises.
True Southern Charm in Aiken, SC
Huffpost – July 2016
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Scuttlebiz: People are working their way into town
Travel Market — July 2016
While you think about getting out of town, a bunch of folks from other places are working their way into town, based on the tourism numbers for the month of July recently released by the Augusta Sports Council and Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau.
20 Best Honeymoon Weekend Getaways in the United States
Dream Vacation Magazine — April 2016
Busy couples who don’t have time for a long honeymoon have many great options closer to home. The properties that made our list include full service resorts, quiet hideaways and coastal retreats where you can get pampered at the spa, have gourmet dinners and enjoy scenic views.
International Wine Dinner at The Willcox Features Treats from New Zealand
Aiken Standard — January 2016
The Willcox hosted 30 guests for a paired wine dinner of popular New Zealand courses, reinvented by Willcox Executive Chef Regan Browell and complimented with LoveBlock wines of New Zealand, presented by winery founder Erika Crawford.
Christmas Carols, Toy Donations Spread Cheer at The Willcox in Aiken
Aiken Standard — December 2015
The Willcox Hotel in Aiken opened its doors Wednesday to celebrate the Christmas season of giving, inviting area children to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and take in donated toys.
The Willcox Hosts Toys for Tots
Aiken Standard — December 2015
Christmas has officially arrived at The Willcox in Aiken.Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive early to help ring in the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots celebration on Wednesday, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. inside the grand lobby of The Willcox, 100 Colleton Ave. S.W.
Aiken Hotel Among Best in the World
Augusta Chronicle — October 2015
The Willcox in Aiken is still gracing the pages of Condé Nast Traveler. The Willcox is 49th in the magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Hotels in World, but it is No. 4 for the Best Hotels in the U.S.A.
The Willcox Recognized by Condé Nast
Aiken Standard — October 2015
The Willcox was recognized as No. 49 in the Best Hotels in the World Category and No. 4 in the Best Hotels in the USA by Condé Nast Traveler.
The Willcox
Condé Nast — October 2015
Snowbird Yankees first flocked to the Winter Colony’s warmth in 1900, and over a century later the Gilded Age lives on in “a beautiful, historic, and very personal hotel.” Fully restored and “elegantly maintained,” 22 rooms have ornamental fireplaces, four-poster beds, hand-stitched pillows, and marble baths. On nights with a rare frost, the “eager staff” hands out cashmere-covered hot water bottles. Interiors beyond the grand, white columns “reflect the town’t equestrian heritage” which still includes steeple chasing, harness racing, dressage, and fox hunting. The Pheasant Room serves Southern dinners and for those dug-in on local links or polo grounds, the Food Truck delivers provisions.
Aiken’s Equestrian Lifestyle
Greenville Online — October 2015
An area rich with thoroughbred racing history, Aiken is one of the only cities where horses have the right of way. So it’s no surprise that the full gamut of the equestrian lifestyle can be found here from polo, horse racing, foxhunting and beyond. Here’s how to visit Aiken like a horse lover.
An Overnight at The Willcox
Low Country Felicity Life — October 2015
On a whim and prompted by an enticing Jetsetter promotion, I booked a one night stay at The Willcox in Aiken, South Carolina for me and my husband to enjoy. The Jetsetter promotion caught my attention for a couple of reasons (in addition to the great rate at a notable hotel).
Aiken Isn’t Just Good for Horses, It’s Good for People, too
Myrtle Beach Online — August 2015
Over the years, Aiken has become one of the finest horse-training centers in the nation and an international equestrian training center as well, even attracting the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who brings horses from the Middle East.
The Willcox Receives Multiple National and International Awards
Aiken Standard — August 2015
Over the years, Aiken, S.C., has become one of the finest horse-training centers in the nation and an international equestrian training center as well, even attracting the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who brings horses from the Middle East.
Road Trips: Horsin’ Around in Aiken
Winston-Salem Journal — August 2015
Over the years, Aiken, S.C., has become one of the finest horse-training centers in the nation and an international equestrian training center as well, even attracting the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who brings horses from the Middle East.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Aiken, South Carolina
The Culture Trip — August 2015
With a history of being a getaway destination for the wealthy, and a love for all things to do with horses, Aiken, South Carolinais steeped in romance and Southern charm. The small town sits just an hour outside of the state’s capital of Columbia. Aiken has a unique restaurant scene and picturesque views that make it an ideal place to visit and enjoy a piece of The Palmetto State.
The Finest Restaurants in the Carolinas
QC Exclusive — July 2015
Food enthusiasts searching for the best meal of their lives can find it in the Carolinas. These 30 restaurants are serving up world-class cuisine.
Getaway to Aiken, South Carolina
East Alabama Living — June 2015
Once a winter colony for elite Northerners in the gilded age, Aiken, S.C., was known as the Newport of the South with ballrooms lit with candlelight and competitions settled on the polo field. Royalty, politicians and captains of industry mingled with the privileged, who inherited enormous fortunes. Evalyn Walsh McLean could be seen sporting the Hope Diamond at a concert or in town with the diamond adorning her dog’s collar.
Willcox Pianist is Signed Onto Film
Aiken Standard — June 2015
The first day The Willcox pianist John Vaughn arrived in Hollywood, he said he met late actor and musician Charles “Buddy” Rogers, who then took him “under his wing.” In 2012, while Vaughn was in England, he came across a story about Poverty Row Entertainment doing a film called “The First,” based on Rogers’ late wife, actress Mary Pickford.
Aiken’s Cookin’ with Celebrity Chefs Cooks Up Funds for Good Cause
Aiken Standard — June 2015
The rainy weather let up just in time to let 21 celebrity chefs put their finishing touches on their meals before Aiken County residents and out-of-town visitors poured into The Willcox for the annual Aiken’s Cookin’ with Celebrity Chefs event Friday night. Food ranging from lemon pound cake to blackened mahi-mahi tacos were featured at the event, and the smell of food could be smelled throughout the city block.
Couple Wins Dream Wedding Through ‘Southern Living’ Willcox Wedding Sweepstakes
Aiken Standard — May 2015
Jeremy Spitler didn’t believe his fiancée Morgan Crumpler when she said they won an all-inclusive $35,920 wedding package. The package was the prize in the Southern Living “Willcox Wedding” Sweepstakes ran from December 2013 to February 2014.
Destination Aiken: City and Willcox Make Perfect Match for California Couple’s Wedding
Aiken Standard — May 2015
When Bryan Wilson and Sarah Whiting, who both grew up on the East Coast and now live in San Francisco, were looking for a place to get married that would give them the most time with family and friends during a busy weekend, Aiken and The Willcox became the perfect destination for a destination wedding.
Dine & Dish: Enjoy Elegant Brunch at The Willcox
Augusta Chronicle — April 2015
So when I found out about the hotel breakfast (or technically, brunch) at Aiken’s The Willcox, I couldn’t wait to try it. The Willcox is a historic hotel, built during Aiken’s heyday as a Winter Colony, and has played host to luminaries such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and the Vanderbilt family – and famously had to turn away the Prince of Wales during Masters Week when there was literally no room at the inn.
Aiken Battles Bad Weather to Celebrate Earth Day
Aiken Standard — April 2015
Deborah Carlisi sped up, barreled over the Aiken County police car and made a right turn to finish the final lap of the 5K obstacle course. She and her son, Nathaniel, were two of many participants to run the race in honor Earth Day, a day that Aikenites celebrated Saturday with a downtown festival.
The Willcox Makes “Best Restaurant” List
Aiken Standard — March 2015
The Restaurant at The Willcox has been named the Best Restaurant in Aiken County, according to the Charleston Food Bloggers. On Feb. 21, the blog operators posted a “Best Restaurant In Each South Carolina County, 2015.”
Best Restaurants in Each South Carolina County
Charleston Food Bloggers — February 2015
When most people around the country think of South Carolina restaurants they immediately start thinking of Charleston. The rest of the state however has some amazing places to eat too. Here is a list of the best restaurants in each South Carolina county as determined by Charleston Food Bloggers and a hand picked small group of other like minded foodies around the state.
Travel Can Be Hazardous to Your Figure
The Blade — February 2015
If you plan well and pay attention, travel should be exciting, relaxing, and informative. What travel brochures fail to warn us is that it also is the ideal route to gain weight. I should know. I packed more slacks and skirts than I care to admit for this two-month trip south and not one of them has the comfortable fit that they did when I left Toledo on Christmas Eve.
The Dish: The Willcox
WJBF Channel 6 — January 2015
On today’s episode of The Dish, lots of fun things are happening. We celebrate Ana Christina’s birthday with Chef Regan Browell from the Willcox Hotel with some of Ana’s favorite dishes.
Classic Southern Weddings at The Willcox
The Lovely Find — January 2015
A beautiful day and a beautiful wedding… what more can you ask for? Ashley Seawell Photography captured this gorgeous wedding at The Willcox just overflowing with classic Southern charm (the way we like it)! There’s not much more in life lovelier than a church wedding; the bride and groom on horseback after the ceremony had us at “just married!” A mix of classic white hydrangeas and baby’s breath, a touch of golden glitter, and all the classic styling are just darling!
Natives To Bring Old Hollywood to Aiken
Aiken Standard — December 2014
During the early 20th century, the names of Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby and Andy Williams graced theater billboards and radio top-hits charts. While time has replaced their billing, musicians such as singer Brooke Lundy and pianist John Vaughn, still carry on their names.
The Willcox Trades Time With Santa for Toys
Aiken Standard — December 2014
Sarah Northington had two specific reasons for embracing the Christmas spirit and getting her kids to The Willcox on Wednesday afternoon: to drop off a toy for the Toys for Tots effort and so her kids could see Santa and Mrs. Claus before they head back to the North Pole.
Conde Nast Traveler 10 Perfect Vacations: Readers’ Choice Awards
Condé Nast Traveler — November 2014
“The service at The Restaurant at The Willcox in Aiken, South Carolina, was fantastic. When our infant son got fussy at dinner, we left early and returned to our room. Our waiter delivered our leftovers to us, along with a delicious dessert.” — Kyle Moses
Owning Historic Inns Often a Labor of Love
Aiken Standard — November 2014
When the historic Partridge Inn was sold this summer, the new owners took over a “tired” property in need of a financial boost.
Willcox Named No. 3 Hotel in South
Aiken Standard — October 2014
In their Readers Choice Awards 2014 Condé Nast Traveler has named The Willcox as No. 3 among Best Hotels in the South in their annual members’ vote.
The Willcox Voted No. 3 Among Best Hotels in the South
Buzz on Biz — October 2014
In their Readers Choice Awards 2014, Conde Nast Traveler has named The Willcox as No. 3 among Best Hotels in the South in their annual members’ vote.
Best Hotels in the South
Condé Nast Traveller — October 2014
Condé Nast names the best hotels in the south according to readers.
Aiken
Charlotte Observer — October 2014
Cooler autumn weather brings horse lovers to Aiken for the Fall Steeplechase, polo and horse-driving competitions, all events that highlight the city’s long history with equestrian sports – and its love of a good party.
‘Southern Living’ Test Kitchen is headed to The Willcox
Aiken Standard — September 2014
For those looking for new cooking ideas and tips, two culinary experts are teaming up to help. On Sept. 20, The Willcox Hotel will host Southern Living Test Kitchen on the Road. The event will have two sessions: Sunday Suppers at noon and Great Grilling at 5 p.m. Each session costs $35.
Southern Accents
WTCI — June 2014
First we visit the Tennessee International Dude and Guest Ranch near Chattanoog where you can become a cowboy or cowgirl on your next vacation. We’ll see what folks love about SAW’s BBQ in Homewood, AL. Then we’ll visit the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, TN where you can explore your creative side. And finally we head to the historic Wilcox Hotel in Aiken, SC for a luxourous getaway with gourmet food.
South Carolina Couple Win The Willcox’s Wedding Sweepstakes
Aiken Standard — June 2014
The day is one year away, yet an early wedding present has already arrived for this South Carolina couple. Morgan Crumpler and Jeremy Spitler of Charleston have won an all-inclusive wedding package – priced at $35,920.
Elvis Comes to The Wilcox Inn, Churchill Enjoyed the Show
Aiken Standard — May 2014
Early Easter morning on the running trail, 53 degrees and windy. It’s cool and damp from the previous day’s rain and dogwood petals, leaves to be truthful, fall like snow. Elvis Presley is on my mind.
Celebrity Waiter Night: A Time for Good Food, Friendly Service, Fun
Aiken Standard — May 2014
Celebrity Waiter Night, which has been an annual event in Aiken for nearly 20 years, is a time to eat good food, enjoy friendly service and raise money for a good cause. It also can be a time to have fun.
The Willcox Hotel
Augusta Magazine — March 2014
Built in the 19th century by Aiken’s storied Winter Colony as guest accommodations for their rich and famous visitors, the historic Willcox Hotel prides itself on offering the same gracious accommodations, five-star service and excellent cuisine the venerable inn extended those fabled guests from the city’s gilded past. The Willcox today is all that as well as a popular meeting place for locals, who mingle with overnight guests at the bar or around the lobby’s original stone fireplace on any given evening. Stop in for a cocktail and a bite to eat and you’re sure to strike up a conversation with someone interesting, whether they’ve just finished an afternoon of foxhunting or a few hours’ shopping in the boutiques along nearby Laurens Street.
Roadtrip: Where the Horse Reigns Supreme
Azaela Magazine — March 2014
Aiken will win your heart and soul with her equestrian connections and beautiful parkways.
Learn To Plan the Perfect Southern Wedding at The Willcox
Aiken Standard — January 2014
Southern Living insider and Executive Director Kristen Payne will visit The Willcox on Saturday to share ideas and advice on how to have the perfect Southern wedding. One of the largest Southern lifestyle publications in the U.S., Southern Living encompasses four major pillars – food, travel, home and garden, said Tina McCarthy, general manager at The Willcox.
Southern Charm for the Holidays
Palm Beach Daily News — December 2013
Stone fireplaces, s’mores and Santa’s elves help guests enjoy the easygoing elegance of this historic South Carolina hotel. Professional musicians lead holiday sing-alongs in the Willcox Hotel lobby, followed by fireside treats of homemade marshmallows dripping with Belgian chocolate and cups of steaming hot cocoa.
Southern Living Runs Contest for Wedding at The Willcox
Buzz On Biz — December 2013
Southern Living is sponsoring a contest to win a dream wedding, and chose The Willcox as the site for it. At least 10 of the Aiken area’s finest local vendors will donate their services, from the horse-drawn carriage to the venue to the golden wedding bands, with a diamond added for the bride. The total package is estimated beforehand at of a total value of more than $35,000.
Horses, Carolers to Spread Holiday Cheer Downtown
Aiken Standard — December 2013
It’s a winning combination. The majestic beauty of horses paired with the sounds of the holiday season. Aiken’s downtown will come alive, the streets fully animated with horsemen and horses who will perform Christmas favorites as part of the Fifth Annual Hoofbeats and Christmas Carols on Wednesday.
The Willcox Will Host Toy Drive On Wednesday
Aiken Standard — December 2013
The Willcox invites the Aiken community to join it in bringing toys to local children who might otherwise have none for Christmas. The historic hotel will host Santa and Mrs. Claus at the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots celebration from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Aiken Musicians Bring Hollywood to The Willcox
Aiken Standard — December 2013
Hollywood has been labeled as glamorous, shimmering and classic. Every week, two musicians strive to bring that feeling home to Aiken. Natives Brooke Lundy and John Vaughn have traveled to the Tinseltown. She played on TV; he played for classic movie stars.
Win a Dreamy Wedding at The Willcox
Aiken Standard — December 2013
Weddings, as wonderful an event as they are, sometimes come with two things – stress and empty wallets. The Willcox and Southern Living magazine are offering a chance of a lifetime in which one lucky couple could receive a dream wedding for free.
Movember Celebration at The Willcox
Aiken Standard — November 2013
A collection of photos from the Movember celebration at the Willcox.
The Willcox
Talk Greenville — November 2013
Everyone loves to find a best kept secret, and The Willcox is one of the best. Built in 1898, The Willcox is located the heart of historic Aiken, a sophisticated city known for its wquestrian sports and high society.
Where is The Willcox Located?
Forbes Travel Guide — November 2013
Often called “The Living Room of the Community,” The Willcox is a landmark located on 100 Colleton Avenue SW, in the heart of historic downtown Aiken, South Carolina. Treasured by locals and guests alike, the boutique hotel is also one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America.
What Are the Rooms Like at The Willcox?
Forbes Travel Guide — November 2013
As a small boutique hotel, each of The Willcox’s 22 rooms has a character all its own. Tall plantation shutters let in the warm Southern sun, highlighting beautifully reproduced, turn-of-the-century details on each room’s wooden desk, wardrobe and intricately carved, four-poster beds. A cloud-soft bed — wrapped in a crisp white feather duvet and topped with plump feather pillows — is the ultimate in luxury, as are the marble and white-tile bathrooms. Just some of the many room amenities include evening turndown and access to a horse and dog concierge, a service that caters to the comfort of your four-legged friends.
What Restaurants Does The Willcox Have?
Forbes Travel Guide — November 2013
The Restaurant at The Willcox is an intimate dining space known for its seasonal, locally grown, organic menu by executive chef Regan Browell. It is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and from 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner. Regulars point to its certified Angus beef filet mignon and its fresh catch, flown in daily, as must-orders. From 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., guests in need of a pick-me-up can order from the petites menu, with its signature chicken liver pate with port wine gelée, Italian and French cheeses, house-made desserts, specialty coffees, ports and cognac, served in the dining room, lobby, bar or via room service.
Locals Dine on ‘Custom’ Food in the Streets at The Willcox
Aiken Standard — November 2013
The Willcox hotel blocked off the length of its little end of Colleton Avenue, and lined up tables end-to-end, to host a special outdoor dining experience for the launch of Jefferson’s Chef’s Collaboration bourbon-rye blend on Saturday, Oct. 19.
The Willcox
The Greenville News — November 2013
Everyone loves to find a best kept secret, and The Willcox is one of the best. Built in 1898, The Willcoxis located the heart of historic Aiken, a sophisticated city known for its equestrian sports and high society.
Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World
Condé Naste Traveler — October 2013
The Willcox Hotel hosted a Gatsby-themed event for this year’s Celebrity Waiters Night in Aiken. The hotel was one of 14 restaurants and businesses that offered guests dinner served by celebrity waiters at a variety of locations around the city. Proceeds from the event benefit Children’s Place in Aiken.
Jazz Age Glamour
Aiken H&L — October 2013
The Willcox Hotel hosted a Gatsby-themed event for this year’s Celebrity Waiters Night in Aiken. The hotel was one of 14 restaurants and businesses that offered guests dinner served by celebrity waiters at a variety of locations around the city. Proceeds from the event benefit Children’s Place in Aiken.
The Southern Living Hotel Collection Welcomes Four New Hotels
Hotel Online — October 2013
The Southern Living Hotel Collection, a small, curated group of independent, four-and five-star level hotels, resorts and inns that span 18 Southern states and offers the best in authentic Southern hospitality is pleased to welcome its newest members: The Willcox Inn (Aiken, SC), The Henderson Park Inn (Destin, FL), The Swag (Waynesville, NC), and The Inn at Willow Grove (Orange, VA). Since its launch this past July, the Collection has grown from its 15 premier hotels, resorts and inns to 19 carefully selected properties chosen by the editors at Southern Living.
The Top 20 Business Travel Hotels in the World
Bloomberg — October 2013
“Surrounded by azaleas right in the middle of town,” the 22-room Willcox—nestled in South Carolina’s “premiere horse country”—is “a favorite of both visitors and locals.” One guest says, “Staying at the Wilcox is like stepping into the luxury and history of the South.” The hotel is an “incredible experience” for anyone who loves “the South, golf, horses and history not at the expense of luxury.”
The Willcox Makes Conde Nast Best Hotel List
Aiken Standard — October 2013
The Willcox has been recognized once again for being a top-class hotel. Conde Nast Traveler recently ranked The Willcox No. 14 on its list of Top 20 Best Business Travel Hotels in the World, according to a press release. Conde Nast Traveler described the historic hotel as offering an “incredible experience” and is a favorite of both residents of Aiken and those visiting
Scene Around Town
Bella Magazine — September 2013
Party at The Willcox to View Palace Malice Race in The Travers Stakes, Saratoga, NY.
Willcox Inn Gets Up in Final Jump to Win Washington Park Handicap
Aiken Standard — August 2013
A dark bay horse seems to be living up to his famous namesake. The Willcox has distinguished itself as one of the world’s finest hotels, and a son of Harlan’s Holiday, named after the Aiken establishment, keeps adding to his already successful career.
Celebrity Waiter Night
Bella Magazine — August 2013
The Willcox roared through the same Jazz Age that inspired lavish parties in the 1920s and 30s. The Hitchcocks, Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Harrimans and many more wealthy families maintained huge houses on Long Island, Manhattan and Newport, R.I., where they danced the years away. As the weather turned cooler, they followed their horses to their ‘cottages’ in Aiken for the Winter.
The Wilcox in the Top 5 on Two Lists
Buzz on Biz — August 2013
In the latest issue of the esteemed international travel magazine, Travel + Leisure, The Willcox was named the #3 Inn and Small Lodge in the U.S. Perhaps even better, these global travel experts also tabbed The Willcox as #5 in the World for hotels of all sizes with a room rate of $250 or less per night. Accommodation rates at the 115-year-old Willcox hotel in Aiken, S.C., begin at $185.
The Willcox Again Recognized As Top Hotel By Travel + Leisure
Aiken Standard — July 2013
The Willcox has done it again. The hotel has been recognized by Travel + Leisure, an international travel magazine, once more for offering an inexpensive yet pleasurable experience to its guests.
Roland to Play at Golden Harvest Benefit
Aiken Standard — July 2013
Musician Ed Roland will be making an appearance in Aiken on July 11 to benefit Golden Harvest Food Bank. The lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the rock band Collective Soul will perform at The Willcox on Colleton Avenue.
Gatsby in Aiken
WRDW — May 2013
The Roaring ’20s comes roaring back to the big screen with Friday’s premiere of “The Great Gatsby.” The movie is also putting an Aiken family and a local hotel back in the spotlight. For Tommy Hitchcock and the Willcox Inn, the story is more about history than it is fiction. It was a time of extravagant parties, famous families and polo.
Coiffed Heads in Beds
Southern Living — May 2013
The jazz age is in full swing at The Willcox hotel in Aiken, South Carolina, for The Great Gatsby release this month. Story has it Tom Buchanan’s character was inspired by Tom Hitchcock, Jr., whose mom helped Mr. Willcox open the hotel as a winter retreat in 1900.
A Roaring Soirée
Wine Enthusiast — April 2013
Lavish celebrations, the power struggle between old money and new money, dizzying unrequited love. There’s only one thing we could be talking about, and it’s happening this Friday, May 10, 2013. The much-anticipated release of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, hits theaters, and what better way to celebrate the classic novel come-to-life than with a sophisticated soirée. We show you how to throw a party that will rival any hosted by Jay Gatsby at his West Egg estate. As the antihero himself puts it, “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!”
Hotels offer up Gatsby-gilded deals
NBC News — April 2013
Bring on the flappers, the swell fellas and the well-heeled hoofers doin’ the Charleston. With “The Great Gatsby” set to hit theaters on May 10, it seems Baz Luhrmann isn’t the only one hoping to recapture a bit of the Roaring ’20s.
The Great Gatsby’s Carolina Connection
WLTX — April 2013
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald has a certain Carolina charm. “He liked certain things about the South. The luxuriousness of it, its attention to the past,” USC Sumter English professor Park Bucker said. Author F. Scott Fitzgerald had the South on his mind when writing “The Great Gatsby.”
Hotels that evoke the Gilded Age of ‘The Great Gatsby’
EuroNews — April 2013
As buzz around the Hollywood release of “The Great Gatsby” continues to build, travelers looking to time travel back to the Roaring Twenties have no shortage of options in the US, where select properties have either preserved or recreated the spirit of flapper chic opulence, jazz and the Gilded Age.
Hotels where the Great Gatsby would stay
FOX News — April 2013
Willcox to bring back ’20s
Aiken Standard — April 2013
Literary Libations
The Local Palate — April 2013
The Willcox Celebrates Great Gatsby
Global Traveler — April 2013
Drenched in Southern charm, from the tall columns fronting its grand 19th century facade to the plush upholstered comfort in its swank guestrooms, The Willcox ranks among the best in grand manor house hotels. Located in leafy Aiken, S.C. — once considered the Newport of the South by elite travelers — the staff once turned down a lodging request from the Duke of Windsor during a long-ago Master’s Week because they were fully booked.
Willcox co-owner a finalist for state award
Aiken Standard — April 2013
A local entrepreneur is a finalist for an award that recognizes outstanding small business owners across the state. Shannon Ellis, co-owner of The Willcox, is one of five finalists for the U.S. Small Business Administration S.C. District Office’s 2013 South Carolina Small Business Person of the Year award.
Great Getaways : Aiken, South Carolina
Equine Journal — March 2013
Aiken, South Carolina is the perfect getaway for the horse enthusiast. Racing, polo, carriage driving, hunting, jumping, eventing, dressage and steeplechasing are all avidly pursued in this historic southern town.
Juilliard Goes South
Indulged Traveler — March 2013
Aiken, South Carolina has long been known as “The Winter Colony,” a charming and temperate environment in which elite New York City society of the last century continued its equestrian pursuits during the cold winter months up north. Names like Astor, Vanderbilt and Whitney were as prominent in Aiken as they were in New York, and patronage of the arts and culture was a year-round endeavor.
Do You Deserve To Lose Money?
Bill Bonner’s Instablog — March 2013
“Are you new to Aiken,” said an attractive 70-something woman with a soft cotton accent named Sissy. We were coming out of the Willcox Hotel. She spotted us as visitors and offered help. She was wearing a floppy hat. She admired our hats. We admired hers. Later, we learned that she is known locally as the “hat lady.”
Julliard Goes South: The Must-Attend Winter Festival
Southern Living — March 2013
Suffering the winter doldrums? Then you might want to make like the Vanderbilt family and head to Aiken, South Carolina. Starting Friday March 9 and continuing through March 15, patrons of the arts from across the country will gather at sites like the Willcox Hotel and Joye Cottage for the 2013 Julliard in Aiken Festival. This series of chamber concerts, master classes, community outreach, and premier performances allows locals a chance to show off their Southern hospitality, while enjoying emerging talents.
Warm Up With Aiken’s Southern Charm
AAA Going Places — March 2013
I am an East Coast native who spent many summer vacations in Myrtle Beach, SC. Since my family never traveled inland, I had never heard of the city of Aiken until my dad and stepmom retired there a few years ago.
The Willcox ‘The living room of the community’
The Aiken Standard — March 2013
When the white wooden doors of The Willcox open, jazz music trickles out in greeting from the overhead speakers, as the concierges await you at the front desk. This year, this grand establishment was again listed as one of Travel + Leisure’s Top 500 Hotels worldwide for 2013.
Bill Murray Visited The Willcox Last Fall
The Aiken Standard — February 2013
Actor Bill Murray was in Aiken last fall and made a stop at The Willcox. Murray didn’t stay the night but took a tour of the hotel and spent some time in the Roosevelt suite. Though it wasn’t clear at the time, it was later determined that Murray was interested in the suite and the hotel’s history because of his role in the new film, “Hyde Park on Hudson” in which he plays 32nd U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Tailgating, The Willcox Way
Equestrian Calendar of Aiken — February 2013
Equestrian events are hungry work. Whether you’re hunting, showing, playing polo — or just playing the role of casual spectator -— you’ll be building up an appetite and ready for a hearty tailgate before you know it.
The Willcox again named Best Hotel by Travel + Leisure
Aiken Standard — January 2013
Praised for its Southern charm and hospitality, The Willcox has been recognized by the same national publication for a second consecutive year. The Willcox was included in Travel + Leisure’s Top 500 Hotels worldwide for 2013 with a score of 94.25 out of 100. In 2012, The Willcox was 32 out of 50 on the World’s Best Hotels list.
Joyful Victory and Willcox Inn make their 2013 debuts tomorrow Read more: Joyful Victory and Willcox Inn make their 2013 debuts
Aiken Standard — January 2013
Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm’s multiple graded stakes winner Joyful Victory will be making her 5-year-old debut, returning to the races after a 65 day layoff, and the gray daughter of Grade 1 winner Tapit has been entered in the 1 1/16-mile $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic Saturday at Sam Houston Park. The Ontario-bred conditioned by Larry Jones has drawn the rail, and will carry 115 pounds. Jockey Rosie Napravnik will be in the irons. Joyful Victory was broken and trained by Tim and Cary Frommer.
Discovering Barley’s Hidden Charms
NPR — January 2013
As someone who dines out a lot for work, I can tell you that barley doesn’t appear on a whole lot of menus. And as a home cook, I can see how this grain maybe isn’t perceived to be as sexy as farro, as healthy as quinoa or as versatile as oats.
Gourmet on the Go in the Equestrian World of Aiken
CNN iReport — January 2013
The Willcox’s restaurant on wheels, The Food Truck, is a short-order patois of specialized dishes that goes beyond a traditional, low budget food truck. The equestrian-centric, high brow locals in the town of Aiken, SC, crave restaurant quality meals but now can get them served on paper plates. Dishes come with three-course plated options including Braised Beef Ravioli with Garden Peas in a rich beef sauce and Parmesan Mascarpone; Seared Salmon with Wasabi Mash and Sugar Snap Pea and Ginger Salad; and a Cumin Dusted Pork Loin with Butternut Squash Puree and Baby Spinach. The Food Truck also makes appearances at special events offering Aiken residents and guests a range of gastronome-minded options including a traditional cook out with all of the fixings; hors d’oeuvres receptions; as well as children’s parties. First time white gowned brides have had their dinner produced right out of the food truck.
Residents Enjoy Cocoa, Cookies At The Willcox Toys For Tots Celebration
Aiken Standard — December 2012
The Toys for Tots collection boxes at The Willcox were filling up fast Monday as people stopped in to donate, to see Santa and Mrs. Claus and to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. This is the third year the historic Aiken hotel has hosted the U.S. Marine Corps. Reserve’s Toys for Tots celebration, a “great organization,” according to The Willcox co-owner Geoff Ellis.
Santa, Carolers To Be At The Willcox For Toys For Tots Drive
Aiken Standard — December 2012
The Willcox will host the U.S. Marine Corps. Reserve’s Toys for Tots celebration – and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus – from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The festive afternoon will feature the North Pole’s most famous residents having their photos taken with area children followed by a lobby full of carolers at the grand piano. Santa and Mrs. Claus will sit in their bright red sleigh in front of a roaring fire in the lobby of the 114-year-old Aiken landmark, listening to the dreams of Aiken-area children.
Moustaches Are Sprouting In Aiken To Raise Awareness For Men’s Health
Aiken Standard — November 2012
Movember begins today where male members, or Mo Bros, traditionally shave their face and start to grow their folical masterpiece over the next 30 days, all to raise awareness about men’s health issues.
Into the Woods
The Traveler’s Journal — November 2012
Aiken, South Carolina is the heart of America’s storied thoroughbred country, “The Winter Colony,” where the cream of New York society once gathered in cold-weather months to continue their equestrian pursuits. No town in America features a more traditional or communal Thanksgiving celebration than Aiken, nor is there a more special place to enjoy it than at the town’s 114-year old, beautifully refreshed and preserved hotel, The Willcox. The holiday is launched with a beloved custom signifying the start of the festive holiday season, the Blessing of The Hounds, and a traditional Thanksgiving buffet feast at the grandest white-pillared dame in South Carolina.
When It’s November, It’s Movember!
Bella Magazine — October 2012
When some guys in Melbourne, Australia decided to raise awareness and money for men’s health issues, they didn’t create pink bows or red dresses. They did what comes naturally: they grew facial hair for a month, specifically mustaches, and renamed the month Movember! Their motto? “Knowledge is Power; Mustache is King.” That was seven years ago, and the organization Movember has since spread around the world and raised $120 million in the fight against prostate and testicular cancer.
Fall Getaway Steal
The Today Show — October 2012
Travel + Leisure readers ranked the hotel No. 3 on the 2012 World’s Best Awards list of Top Inns and Lodges in the Continental U.S. And it’s easy to see why, as rooms have plenty of antebellum charm: crown moldings, four-poster beds and fireplaces. The Willcox even has its own food truck serving dishes such as spicy fish burritos and fried chicken biscuits. Fuel up and then head outdoors to enjoy local parks or go for a horseback ride.
Musician Comes Home To The Willcox
Aiken Standard — September 2012
John Vaughn’s music career has taken him all over the world. But, for now, he’s settling back in to his native Aiken. Vaughn will be in Aiken through the winter season and is playing piano at the Willcox Inn each Friday night. It’s a venue that holds many fond memories for him.
Read more …
The Willcox Is One Of The World’s Best Hotels
WJBF Channel 6 — September 2012
Try to imagine the best hotel in the world. Perhaps the Plaza comes to mind, or the Four Seasons, Paris. WJBF News Channel 6’s Aiken Bureau Chief, Ashley Bridges, has the story of one of the worrd’s best hotels … right here in Aiken.
Skyware Hospitality Solutions is Proud to Service The Willcox Hotel, Awarded as one of the Top 50 Hotels in the World by Travel & Leisure Magazine
PR Web — August 2012
When Shannon and Geoff Ellis took over The Willcox, their goal was to make the historic hotel feel like Aiken’s living room. Today, the inn welcomes many visitors from out of town – in fact, the room occupancy rate has tripled in the two and a half years that the Ellises have owned it.
The Willcox: Aiken’s Favorite Inn
Aiken Polo Club Magazine — August 2012
When Shannon and Geoff Ellis took over The Willcox, their goal was to make the historic hotel feel like Aiken’s living room. Today, the inn welcomes many visitors from out of town – in fact, the room occupancy rate has tripled in the two and a half years that the Ellises have owned it.
Aiken’s Willcox Hotel Named One Of Top 50 Best Hotels in the World
WJBF Channel 6 — August 2012
It’s an exciting time at The Willcox Hotel, in Aiken. Especially, because it’s only been the about two and half years since Shannon and Geoffrey Ellis bought it. They call it a miracle purchase, because the deal came through just minutes before hotel would close for good.
Aiken Hotel With Ties To Pres. FDR Named One of ‘World’s Best’
WRDW Channel 12 — August 2012
Things are buzzing inside the doors of The Willcox, an historic Aiken hotel.
